Friday, 16 August 2013

What is one of Zaroff's philosophies from Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"?

General Zaroff is Connell's antagonist in "The Most Dangerous Game." As villains normally do, Zaroff has a different perspective towards life and society than the rest of the world does. For example, General Zaroff believes that he is entirely justified to hunt and kill human beings if they are "the scum of the earth." But his philosophy isn't as simple as that, which he explains in the following passage:


"Life is for the strong, to...

General Zaroff is Connell's antagonist in "The Most Dangerous Game." As villains normally do, Zaroff has a different perspective towards life and society than the rest of the world does. For example, General Zaroff believes that he is entirely justified to hunt and kill human beings if they are "the scum of the earth." But his philosophy isn't as simple as that, which he explains in the following passage:



"Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and if need be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift?"



General Zaroff is not just talking about his physical strength. He is also strong mentally and financially. He also has expert hunting skills that can provide him with an expensive hobby that he loves. The problem lies in the fact that he thinks that "strong" people have the right to take anything they want from those who are weaker than they are. Furthermore, he believes that "weak" people, no matter if they are weaker physically, mentally, or financially, are at his disposal because he is one of the strong. To make his philosophy even creepier, he believes it is a natural gift to be strong, which adds to his elitist and entitled attitude. 

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